Flower of the Winds

by Dorothy M. Keddington

Cassandra Graves returns to Winwood Cottage hoping to find a few weeks solace in her painting and the sea. Instead an impulsive walk on the beach results in the discovery of two Russian scientists on the run. From the moment she meets Nikolai and dark-eyed Seriozha, Cassandra's safe, secure existence is challenged and changed, along with her perception of what love should be. This new extended version of Keddington's classic novel includes the bonus story, "Sergei's First Christmas."

Genres: Romance, Mystery, Fiction, Lds Fiction, Christian Fiction, Clean Romance, Adult Fiction

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Dorothy McDonald Keddington is the author of five best-selling romantic-suspense novels and the gripping true story, A Square Sky. She had co-authored two musical plays with poet-lyricist Laura Bedore.

Dorothy Keddington is native of Salt Lake City, UT. She has taught creative writing both privately and for community schools. She is an accomplished pianist, organist, and popular speaker for civic, cultural, and educational events in the Intermountain West.

Reviews

[Sharon Hogenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting how time changes one's perspective! When I first read this book years ago I didn't really like it. However, in deciding to read all of my unrated books so I can rate them, I read Flower of the Winds again, trying to get one of the ones I was sure I didn't like out of the way. I started the book today while waiting for a text from a client so I could continue with my work for him. The text never came so I just kept reading and had a very enjoyable afternoon!

Although highly unlikely, and not very believable, it was a fun story with just the right amount of suspense and romance.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Dorothy Keddington's blend of suspense, romance, and mystery. Flower of the Winds takes place during the Cold War when tensions were high between the United States and the Soviet Union. I love this book because it shows that the normal Russian Citizens like Sergei and Nikolai were good and often victims of the KGB. Clean romance. Cassie and Sergei develop a love very quickly but what they have will last. Definitely something I've reread and will probably read again.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

continuing the re-reading of teenage-era, Mormon-lite mystery romances. Yes, I’m having a great time!!

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lately, my book choices have been a bit of a drag. I needed a story where the guy gets the girl in the end (even if the guy is a blatant, Russian stereotype). So I pulled my well-used copy of this book off the shelf. (Sigh) Now I'm feeling much better.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago. I read it as a teenager, and just finished it again. A very simple story, that we look back on now and think in 1987 were we really that scared of the Russians!? And yes, yes we were! Were Russians trying to defect because the horrible conditions in their country! YES! KGB still scares me actually!

If they would have known in the early 1990s the Soviet Union would split apart, and Sergei (Who is Latvian I think) would be free (well freeish)

If I wrote a sequel to this book (and I really don't care for sequels) I see see Cassandra and Seregi visiting the Former Soviet Union, maybe some espionage, or loose ends. Meet his parents, Mrs. Keddington, am I giving you ideas....I guess there is always fan fiction! Not as good as Jayhawk, or Shadow Song, or my Favorite Return to Red Castle but still a nice clean read (well reading it recently, I realize there is a some serious sensuality between the lines but it isn't rewritten or dwell upon so it is listed as CLEAN and even part of LDS Fiction (though I understand Mrs Keddington is LDS but doesn't write about LDS people necessarily!) Nice quick summer read!

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having the opportunity to meet Dorothy, my cousin, this last Monday, I was even more excited to read her books. This book had already arrived from the library so it was the next one I chose to read. Excellent book! It kept me spellbound until the very last page wondering how it was all going to come together. I especially enjoyed the Russian words that were used in the story. One of my favorites was the word "dushenka" "Dusha" is the word for soul and dushenka means my soul's darling or heart's delight. Dorothy is a DELIGHTFUL person, and I am discovering that her books are, too!

[E.T. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, it was just as good as the other books. I really liked the different culture in this book too, though, with the Russians, and how she easily came to care for the people she was helping. It was very cute.

[Cierra Ames · Rating 5 out of 5]

i honestly didn’t think i would like this book and was hesitant to start it (my sister read about half of it out loud to me while driving) but i ended up loving the book. i would not be opposed to reading it again

[Adrianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book over and over again as a middle school girl. Years later, I'm rereading it. It's a bit simplistic, but my nostalgia for it beats that.

[SHERI · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE This book. A cold war era suspense. Light romance. very good

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Dorothy Keddington! I have read and reread all of her fiction novels. They are my go to rereads hands down. My best friend growing up introduced me to them. Her mom had all the original editions and we read them so much the binding started breaking. Luckily for us the novels came back in print!!!

I loved reading her descriptions of the locations and always wanted to go there. Luckily again for me I ended up living on the Oregon coast for several years and now when I read them I know exactly where she is talking about.

I don't have one favorite...they are all my favorites it just depends on what I'm in the mood to read which one I grab off my shelf!

If you enjoy a great clean, mystery romance I highly recommend any and all of Dorothy Keddington's novels.

Happy Reading!!!

[Jeanette Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the self-declared "number one Dorothy Keddington fan of the universe". Flower of the Winds is my most favorite of all her books. This is how romance was meant to be written. This is what gifted writing is all about. I give it ten stars. Have I made a big enough fool of myself yet? Okay.

Flower of the Winds is the most amazing love story I've ever read. It's action-packed so you never want to put the book down. The characters and their feelings become a part of you. And you will dream of the Oregon coast long after finishing the story.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this one better than Jayhawk and Shadow Song, but not as much as Return to Red Castle. The mysterious foreigner with the body of a god, a sexy accent, and dangerous enemies, well, that is just good romantic material. There is a page-turning plot that keeps you on the edge till the end. And it doesn't have an overly long, sappy anti-climax where you hang out in the bliss until your fingers prune. If there is one thing Keddington knows, it's how to end a romance gracefully.

[Kathleen Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read and really written more for young adult girls looking for a book about romance. I read it to see if it is something our book club would enjoy. Some of the younger ladies like a love story once in awhile. It's got some action, but not always so believable. The one thing that bothered me a bit about the story is that the main character was engaged, and then "fell" in love with a Russian she barely knew...and her main attraction to him was physical.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a little bit confusing at first, but pretty much only for the prologue. This was one of my favorite D.K. books, even if the same thing happens in all of her books (two people meet, there is some danger, they fall in love very quickly--usually within a few days, the danger passes and they live happily ever after).

[Karene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read Dorothy Keddington's books for years, so I don't know what my impression would be if I read them for the first time today. But I do know that these were my favorite books as a teenager. They have a good mix of romance and adventure. I used to read them repeatedly. Flower of the Winds was my favorite.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was good. the plot was fine. The part I had a problem with was where the guy leaves for what 6 months doesn't say goodbye or even see her after clearing his name and then all of a sudden one day he shows back up with explanation and she goes running back into his arms. And then the story just ends. definitely my least favorite of Dorothys.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I put five stars on this book because it is the first book that got me into reading. I love it. It is suspensefull and romantic. I am a sucker for those. It is a quick ans easy read as well. you've gotta love that.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously love this book! I don't know if it's just the love story or the Russian aspect, but I keep re-reading it. It's just funny how life (or fiction) takes a turn for the unexpected and gives you a pleasant surprise.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it just isn't my favorite. It's pretty surface and an easy read. It's about a girl who lives on the beach and saves a man from the ocean and then falls for him, even though she is engaged to someone else.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

She wrote this almost 15 years ago....when defecting Russians was a big deal (and dangerous!) It was a cute story, but man what a different story it would be today with GPS and cell phones. Crazy to think about.

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of her book by far, the romance seems a little shallow to me. Overall, it's a fun easy read.

[Riann Koldewyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your interested in a foreign man....

[Krystell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about suspense, action, intrigue, love! It is all encorporated in this novel. I can't count how many times I have read it, and still love it each time!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books , they are easy to read and sweet romance.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable though not quite as compelling as some of her other novels.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book alot. I am a sucker for romance mixed with suspence.

[Hillary · Rating 2 out of 5]

the only dk book I am not crazy about

[Ruthann]

I really enjoyed this book

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. Definitely a good one if you want a nice clean romance. Just a good fun read!